Book feeding mechanism



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BooK Banania MECHANISM Carl Schramm, North Coventry, Conn., assignor to The Smyth Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Original application ctober 8, 1952, Serial No. 313,631,

now Patent No. 2,785,812, dated March 19, 1957. Divided and this application January 25, 1956, Serial No. 561,334

Claims. (Cl. 198-34) This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 313,631 filed October 8, 1952, now Patent No. 2,785,812 dated March 19, 1957, for Feeding Mechanism for Book Creasing and Pressing Machine. Reference is made to the said application as to any parts not herein fully disclosed.

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g mechanism located at the leading or book discharge end The mechanism disclosed in said application relates i generally to a book feeding mechanism which is adapted to successively receive books manually delivered thereto otherwise than in a vertical position and to then successively transfer the books to a vertical position. More specifically the feeding mechanism of the said application is adapted to successively receive books manually delivered thereto from a book casing-in machine and to successively transfer the said books to a vertical position for entry into a machine for creasing and pressing the books.

The present invention is not limited to the means for transferring the books to a vertical position, and it relates more particularly to a book feeding mechanism having a belt for moving the books along a fixed rectilinear path and having stops movable into and out of the path of book movement and so moved in timed relation with the belt movement that the books are moved by the belt to a receiving position at regular intervals of time.

The invention further relates to various features of mechanical construction whereby the stops are moved as stated.

In the drawing there is shown in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction shown, and that the drawing is not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a book feeding mechanism embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view showing some of the parts in Fig. 1 as viewed from the right, but with the transfer device in its upper position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary View taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary schematic view showing various electrical connections together with a switch operating cam on a connected creasing and pressing machine.

GENERAL ORGANIZATION The feeding mechanism comprises a conveyor having a longitudinally movable upwardly Vexposed portion for the successive reception of books arranged in longitudinal sequence with their backs all facing in the same general direction. The mechanism includes movable stops as hereinafter described in detail for controlling the movement of the books by the conveyor successively to a receiving position. While the present invention is not so limited, the mechanism as shown also comprises transfer of the upwardly exposed portion of the conveyor and at the said receivingfposition for succesively engaging and transferring books discharged from the said conveyor. The said transfer mechanism preferably serves to transfer each successively engaged book and to move it to a transfer position which may be a vertical position. The transfer mechanism as disclosed includes a transfer device which is engageable with the books to move them from the receiving position to the transfer position, the transfer device preferably being pivotally movable about a longitudinal axis.

Conveyor wardly and adapted to receive books that are manually delivered thereto as before stated. As shown, there is provided a plurality of similar transversely spaced longitudinal endless belts having their upper runs facing upwardly and in the same plane. The plane of the upper run or runs of the belt or belts is preferably transversely inclined as shown in Fig. 2, a longitudinal guide being provided near the lower side of the belts for determining the path of longitudinal book movement and the books being held by gravity in engagement with the guide. When the books have been engaged by said guide, they are longitudinally moved in a fixed rectilinear path.

The saddle 16 is provided at 22 with an inclined guide- Way, the angle of inclination preferably being about 45. Engaging the guideway 22 and adjustable therealong is a bracket 24 which carries a rectangular conveyor frame 25. Said bracket 24 and the conveyor frame 25 are adjustable along the guideway 22 by means of one or more screws, not shown.

The frame 25 carries a plurality of similar endless longitudinal feed belts 3i), vliti having their upper runs in the same transversely inclined plane, this plane being inclined at an angle complemental to that of the guideway 22. The feed belts Sil, 30 at the left extend around pulleys 32, 32 on a shaft 34 which is journaled in the frame 25. The feed belts 30, 3G at the right extend around pulleys 36, 36 on a shaft 38. A plate 44 extends across the top of the conveyor frame 25 for supporting the upper runs of the conveyor belts 30, 30.

The shaft 34 is rotated to drive the belts 30, 30 and for this purpose the shaft has secured to it a gear 46 which meshes with a gear 48. The gear 48 is secured to a shaft 50 which is journaled in the bracket 15 and not in the conveyor frame 25. Means such as an electric motor, not shown, is provided for rotating the shaft 50 at a definite predetermined speed. The gear 48 is rotated with the shaft and said gear rotates the gear 46 together with the shaft 34 and the pulleys 32, 32. The direction of rotation is such that the pulleys 32, 32 drive the belts 30, 30 with their upper runs moving toward the rear, that is, toward left as viewed in Fig. 1. The meshing of the gears 48 and 46 is such as to permit the described adjustment of the conveyor frame 25 and of thesaid belts along the guideway 22 as previously described.

The before-mentioned longitudinal parallel guide preferablycomprises a longitudinal series of rollers 62, 62. The rollers 62, 62 are connected with an inclined longitudinal plate 64 for free rotative movement with respect thereto. The plate 64 is preferably carried by an inclined slide 66 which is adjustably connected with the saddle 16. The slide 66 together with the plate 64 and the rollers 62 may be adjusted in a direction parallel to Patented July 8, 1958v the plane of the upper runs of the conveyor belts and it may be clamped in adjusted position by means of a screw 68. The transverse adjustment of the longitudinal guide adapts the conveyor mechanism for books of different widths.

In operation, books A delivered from the casing-in machine are picked up by an operative and deposited on the upper runs of the belts 30, 30, it being only necessary for the operative to make certain that the books are arranged in longitudinal sequence and that the backs of the books A face generally transversely and away from the guide 62, 62. The operative may deposit the ybooks in direct engagement with the guide 62, 62, but if he does not so place the books they will slide transversely by gravity toward the right and into engagement with the guide. In any event the transverse inclination rnaintains the books in engagement with the guide which serves to bring the books into parallelism with the direction of longitudinal movement. The said guide determines the path of movement of the books for proper engagement with the transfer means as hereinafter described.

When the books A are placed on the belts 30, 30 as previously described, the rollers 62, 62 which constitute the guide engage the filler portions F of the books midway between the covers C, C thereof, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. Such a midway engagement is effected for books of different thicknesses by adjusting the frame 25 and the conveyor belts along the guideway 22 as previously described, the -belts being thus adjusted relatively to the rollers.

Preferably the plate 64 and the rollers 62, 62 carried thereby `are longitudinally adjustable with respect to the slide 66, for a purpose to be set forth. The plate 64 is provided with a longitudinal slot 70, and bolts 72, 72 extend through the said slot for adjustably connecting the plate with the bracket.

Transfer m echansm The book transfer mechanism, when provided, is located at the leading or book discharge end of the conveyor and is preferably pivotally movable about a longitudinal axis. For supporting and moving the pivotally movable transfer device a longitudinal rockshaft 74 is suitably supported for movement about a xed axis. Secured to the rockshaft 74 is an arm 76. The rockshaft serves by means of suitable mechanism, not shown, to move the arm 76 cyclically and at regular intervals between a lower position as shown in Fig. l and an upper position as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. Carried by the arm 76 is a book carrier having a face which is in or substantially in the plane of the upper runs of the belts 30, 30 when the said arm is in its lower position as shown in Fig. l. Preferably the book carrier includes a plate 78 which is parallel with the said plane when the arm is in its said lower position. The book carrier also includes longitudinal fingers 80, 80 which are attached to the plate 7 S and which are so spaced transversely that some of them are positioned between the belts 30, 30 when the arm 76 is in its said lower position. The upper lfaces of the lingers are in or substantially in the plane of the upper runs of the belts when the carrier is in its lower receiving position.

As has been stated, the conveyor is bodily adjustable for books of different thicknesses so that the rollers 62, 62 engage the book filler midway between the book covers. When the conveyor is so adjusted it is necessary to similarly adjust the book carrier so that the faces of the fingers 80, 80 will align with the faces of the belts. For this purpose, the plate 78 is attached to a slide 81 which is adjustable with respect to the arm 76 and in a direction perpendicular to the face of said plate by means of a screw 82, said lslide 81 being shown in Fig. 2. The slide is clamped in adjusted position by means of a screw 83. The plate 78 is so adjusted with respect to the arm 76 that the upper faces of the fingers 80, 8l) are in the 4 same plane as the upper faces of the belts 30, 30 when the transfer device is in its lower position. This permits the successive books to overlie and engage the said tingers when the belts have moved them to the maximum extent toward the left.

For limiting the movement of each successive book toward' the left a terminal stop 84 is provided which is fixed against longitudinal movement and which is in the path of book movement. Preferably the stop 84 is carried by and movable with the pivoted transfer device and normally projects beyond the upper face of the book carrier, as shown in Fig. 3. The stop 84 is relatively movable to any one of several longitudinally spaced positions, and it may project through any of a series of holes 89 in the plate 78.

Carried by an extension 92 on the rockshaft 74 is a plate 94 which carries a book support, the said book support preferably comprising a plurality of elements 96, 96 which are longitudinally spaced and longitudinally aligned. As shown, the elements 96, 96 are carried by fingers 98, 98 which are formed integrally with the plate 94. The book supporting elements engage the book filler midway between the book covers. Said book supporting elements 96, 96 are in `alignment with the longitudinal book guide 62, 62, when the transfer device is in its lower position. Thus as each book is moved by the belts longitudinally out of engagement with the guide rollers 62, 62, the said book moves into engagement with the elements 96, 96. The elements 96, 96 therefore prevent the book from sliding downward and toward the right along the book carrier when the said book passes beyond the rollers 62, 62. The elements 96, 96 not only prevent downward sliding movement of each book while the book carrier is in its lower position, but they also support the 'oook in fixed relationship with the carrier as the transfer device is swung upwardly to its upper position.

As has been stated, the longitudinal book guide, which includes rollers 62, 62, is transversely adjustable to provide for books of different widths. When the book guide is transversely adjustable, the book supporting elements 96, 96 must be similarly adjustable so as to always align with the said guide. For this purpose the plate 94 is transversely `adjustable on the rockshaft extension 92. The said plate is provided with an adjusting slot 100 and a clamping bolt 102 extends through the slot to hold the plate in adjusted position. The plate 94 is always adjusted in accordance with the adjustment of the slide 66 so that the book filler engaging faces of the rollers 62, 62 and the book ller engaging faces of the elements 96, 96 are always in alignment.

lt is essential that each book be beyond the last roller 62 when its motion is stopped by the stop 84, as thc last roller would otherwise engage the lower book cover `and interfere with the movement of the book by the transfer device. However, it is desirable for the last roller 62 to remain in engagement with the book until it is engaged as fully as possible by the book supporting elements 96, 96. Therefore, the plate 64 and the rollers 62, 62 are adjustable longitudinally, as previously described, in general accordance with the length of the books. The adjustment is such as to enable the rollers 62, 62 and particularly the last roller to support each book to the maximum extent, without however causing the said last roller to interfere with the movement of thc book by the transfer device.

To more definitely insure movement of each book into engagement with the stop 84, at least one presser wheel 104 is provided for engaging each book to press it firmly against the belts. Referring particularly to Fig. l, it will be observed that the wheel 104 is rotatably mounted on a rod 106 carried by a block 108, the said rod being adjustable lengthwise with respect to the block. The block 108 is pivotally connected with an arm 110 carried by a block 112. The said block 112 is longitudinally adjustable along a vguideway in a longitudinal bar 114 secured to the conveyor frame 25. The block 112 and al1 of the parts carried thereby can be locked in longitudinally adjusted position by a clamping screw 116. A spring, not shown, connected with the block 108 and with the arm 110 serves to bias the block 108 and the parts carried thereby in the direction for moving the wheel 104 downwardly. Such movement is limited by a suitable stop, not shown.

Preferably a second presser wheel 122 is provided which is shown as having a shape somewhat different from that of the wheel 104. The mounting for the wheel 122 may be exactly the same as that for the wheel 104 and repetition of the description is unnecessary. The said wheel 122 is carried by an adjustable block 123 which is similar to the block 112 for the wheel 104. The wheel 122 is shown as being in longitudinal alignment with the wheel 104 and in close proximity thereto. However, the two wheels may be placed in a wide variety of relationships.

After a book engages the stop 84 and thus reaches its limit of longitudinal movement, the rockshaft 74 and all parts carried thereby, including the arm 76 together with the book carrier 78, 80 and the book supports 96, 96, are moved in the clockwise direction from the positions shown in Fig. l to the positions shown in Fig. 2, thus moving the book from the inclined position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2 to the vertical position shown by full lines in said Fig. 2. It will be understood that when the parts are so moved the book has passed beyond the last roller 62 and this roller cannot interfere with book movement. During movement of the book from the inclined position to the vertical position, the book supports 96, 96 support the book and prevent it from sliding downwardly. After the book is transferred to its said vertical position, it is engaged and moved by parts not shown and the transfer device returns to its lower position.

Stops for longitudinal book movements In order to assure proper timing of the books as they move successively to their final longitudinal receiving position at A in engagement with the stop 84, a multiple stop mechanism is provided to which the present invention more particularly relates. Carried by the conveyor frame 25 is a rockshaft 160 which is parallel with the pulley shaft 34. Secured to the said rockshaft is an arm 162 to which is connected a spring 164 for biasing the shaft for movement in the clockwise direction, the said movement being limited by an adjustable stop screw 166. Also connected with the shaft 160 is at least one leaf spring 168 which extends toward the right and which carries a stop 170. Preferably there are two springs 168, 168 and two stops 170, 170, these being spaced transversely. A relatively stiff strip 171 is mounted for movement with each spring 168. The spring 168 serves to bias the stop 170 upwardly and the strip 171 limits upward movement. Also connected with the rockshaft 160 is an arm 172 which extends toward the left. When the arm 76 and the plate 78 are in their lower positions as shown in Figs. l and 3, a projection 174 on the plate 78 engages the arm 172 to move the rockshaft 160 in the counterclockwise direction in opposition to the spring 164. This causes the stops 170, 170 to move upwardly into the path of book movement so as to be adapted to prevent the next following book A' from moving beyond the position shown at the right in Fig. 3. The provision of two transversely spaced stops 170, 170 insures the engagement of at least one of them with a book, regardless of book width.

Carried by the conveyor frame 2S is a second rockshaft 176 which is also parallel with the pulley shaft 34. Secured to the said rockshaft is an arm 178 to which is connected a spring 180 for biasing the shaft for movement in the counterclockwise direction, the said movement being limited by an adjustable stop screw 182.

. 8. Also connected with the shaft 176 is at least one leaf spring 184 which extends toward the right and which carries a stop 186. Preferably there are two leaf springs 184, 184 and two stops 186, 186, these being spaced transversely. A relatively stiif strip 187 is mounted for movement with each spring 184. The spring serves to bias the stop 186 upwardly and the strip 187 limits upward movement. When the shaft has been moved in the clockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 3, the two stops 186, 186 are below the faces of the belts.

" However, when the shaft 176 is moved in the counterextends toward the left.

clockwise direction from the position shown, the stops 186, 186 are moved upwardly between two of the belts 30, 30 so as to stop book movement. The provision of two transversely spaced stops 186, 186 insures the engagement of at least one of them with a book, regardless of book width.

An arm 188 is connected with the rockshaft 160 and An arm 190 is connected with the rockshaft 176 and extends toward the right, being engaged at the top thereof by the said arm 188 on the rockshaft 160. By reason of the engagement of the arms 188 and 190, the rockshaft 176 is moved in the clockwise direction when the shaft is moved in the counterclockwise direction. The shaft 176 is moved in the counterclockwise direction when the shaft 160 is moved in the clockwise direction. The result is that the stops 186, 186 are in their lower positions when the stops 170, are in their upper positions, this being hereinafter referred to as the primary relationship. The stops 186, 186 are in their upper positions when the stops 170, 170 are in their lower positions, this being hereinafter referred to as the secondary relationship. The stops 186, 186 are at the right of the projecting right ends of the carrier lingers 80, 80 and the longitudinal spacing between the stops 186, 186 and the stops 170, 170 is less than the length of the smallest book within the capacity of the feeding mechanism.

If successive books are placed on the conveyor belts- 30, 30 so as to be relatively closely spaced longitudinally but without being in contact, the action of the stop mechanism is as follows. Assuming that one book A has been moved into engagement with the book carrier and the stop 84, the stops 170 are in their upper positions to prevent the next following book A from immediately moving beyond the position shown in Fig. 3. However, as soon as the book A is moved upwardly by the carrier, the stops 170 are moved downwardly and the stops 186 are moved upwardly into said rectilinear path of book movement, the book A being then permitted to move from the position shown in Fig. 3 to a position in engagement with said stops 186. Inasrnuch as the stops 186 are at the right of the projecting ends of the carrier fingers 80, 80, a book in the last said position will not interfere with the downward or return movement of said fingers S0. As soon as the carrier fingers 80 are returned to their lowermost position as shown in Fig. 3, the stops 186 are moved downwardly to release said next following book and to permit it to move onto the carrier, such movementbeing limited by the stop 84. As the stops 186 move downwardly, the stops 170 move upwardly into said rectilinear path of book movement to engage and stop the second following book.

The movements of the movable stops are effected in proper timed relationship to the before-mentioned speed of the belts 30, 30. The timing is such that any book that is partly beyond the first stop 170 at the beginning of the primary stop relationship is moved by the belt means in said rectilinear path toward the said receiving position and at least partly beyond the second stop 186 prior to the beginning of the secondary stop relationship. The movements of the transfer device are also effected in proper timed relationship to the speed of the belts 30, 30. As has been stated, the stops 1'70 move upwardly into book engaging positions simultaneously with the 7 arrival of the transfer device at its lower book receiving station. The transfer device remains in its last said position long enough to enable any book that has already passed the stops 170 to be moved by the belts into cornplete engagement with the said transfer device.

If the books are more widely spaced longitudinally, the second book A' may not arrive at the stops 170 until the book carrier and the book A have started to move upwardly. The stops 170 will then be in their lower positions and the stops 186 will be in their upper positions, the stops being in their secondary relationship. Under such a condition the second book A moves past the stops 170 and is engaged by the stops 186 which prevent further movement of the book until the carrier fingers 80 have returned to their lowermost positions for receiving the said book.

1t frequently happens that, while one book A is held by the stops 17) as shown or is later held by the stops 186, a third book (not shown) will be moved into tight endwise contact with the said book A'. Assuming that the stops are in their secondary relationship and that the book A is held by the stops 186, it is evident that both books will start to move when the stops 186 are lowered, as said stops 186 and 170 tend to move to their primary relationship. But the spacing between the stops 1S6 and the stops 170 is less than the book length and the said following contacting book will be engaged and held by the stops 170. The stops 170 tend to move upwardly as soon as the stops 186 move downwardly, but the springs 16S yield so that the said stops do not actually move upwardly until the book A' has passed beyond them and the next following book is in position to be engaged.

Although the two books may be in contact when the book A is held by the stops 186, they separate slightly when the said book A' is released. The presser Wheels 104 and 122, and more particularly the latter, rmly press the leading book A against the belts 30, 30.fr Thus the leading book A starts very quickly as soon as released, but the next following book, not being engaged by the wheels 164 and 122, has only gravity pressure against the belts. By reason of inertia the starting of the said following book is slightly retarded with the result that there is a small gap between the two books, this gap facilitating the engagement of the stops 170 with the said following book.

lt may sometimes happen that a single book may move past both stops and to the receiving position on the book carrier of the transfer device without being engaged by either of said stops. The book may arrive at the stops 176 just before the said stops are raised. When this happens, the book will not be held by the said stops 170, and by the time that the book reaches the stops 136 the said stops will have been lowered so that the book moves directly onto the carrier device without any interruption of motion.

In general, the spacing and the timing of the stops 170 and 186 are such that, under any possible conditions of book spacing, only one book at a time can move beyond the second stops ld.

ln setting up the machine for a book of a given length, the several parts are adjusted so that the lengthwise center of the book is always approximately in a predetermined position. By way of example, it may be assumed that the machine is to be set up for a longer book AX, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3. The stop Sie is adjusted tou-ard the left to an extent approximately equal to one-half of the increased book length, the new v position being indicated at 84X. The switch 192 and the aim .t9-* are adjusted toward the right to an extent approximately equal to one-half of the increased book length, the new position of the arm 194 being indicated at 19d-X. As has been stated, the switch 192 and the arm 194 are longitudinally adjustable in unison with the presser wheel 122. Thus the said presser wheel is always in proper relationship with the switch arm 194 and is in position to clear the longer book AX as the said book is swung upwardly.

Safety control Preferably a safety control is provided for stopping the main machine and for therefore stopping all parts of the feed mechanism other than the belts, in the event of failnre Vof a book to move into proper engagement with the transfer device.

As shown in Figs. l and 3, a microswiteh 192 s provided having an arm 194 which projects between two of the belts 30, 30 and into the path of book movement. The switch 192 is so located that the arm 194 is near the right end of a properly engaged book A but is slightly spaced from the said right end. The arm 194 is therefore depressed by any book that is in whole or in part. at the right of the properly engaged position. The switch 192 is normally closed but is opened when the arm 194 is depressed by a book. The switch 192 is opened as each book passes over the arm 194, but as hereinafter pointed out this opening is normally without significance.

The switch 192 and its arm 194 are preferably adjustable longitudinally. Preferably and as shown, the switch is carried by a plate 195 secured to the lower face of the block 123 which carries the presser wheel 122. Thus the switch is adjustable longitudinally in accordance with longitudinal adjustments of the said wheel.

The switch 192 is connected in the circuit for a motor 196, as shown in Fig. 4, which operates the main machine. Said Fig. 4 is entirely schematic and does not include motor control relays and the like. A cam 198 is provided on a transverse shaft 199 of the main machine, the said cam and shaft making one rotation for each cycle of the machine and of the feed mechanism. A microswitch 200 is provided having an operating roller 202 which is engaged by the cam 198. The switch 200 is normally closed, but is opened when the roller 202 is moved by the cam. The timing is such that the switch 200 is momentarily opened during each cycle at or about the time of, or immediately before, movement of the transfer device out of its lower book engaging position, that is, the-switch 200 is opened immediately after a book such as A has moved past the arm 194 to cause the reclosing of the switch 192.

The switches 192 and 203 are connected in parallel in the circuit of the motor 196 and the motor continues to operate so long as either switch is closed. When the book A is lin proper position and in engagement with the stop 84, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the book is beyond the arm 194 Vand the switch 192 is closed after having been opened by the movement of the book. The motor 196 therefore continues to operate notwithstanding the momentary opening of the switch 2G() which immediately follows. However, if for any reason the book has failed to move beyond the arm 194, the switch 192 is held open and the said momentary opening of the switch 200 serves `to stop the motor with resultant stopping of the machine and of the feed mechanism.

The invention claimed is:

l. A book Afeeding mechanism comprising in combination, belt means movable in a fixed rectilinear longitudinal path and adapted for receiving books arranged in longitudinal sequence, mechanism for moving the belt means at a predetermined speed and for thereby moving the successive books along said fixed rectilinear path to a predetermined receiving position, first and second stops adjacent said Vfixed rectilinear path of book move- .ment and longitudinally spaced from each other by a distance less than the longitudinal dimension of the books, .means for moving the two stops alternately into primary and secondary relationships in which primary relationship the first stop projects into said rectilinear path of book movement and is engageable with a book in said path to stop movement of said book and the second stop is out of said rectilinear path of book movement and in which secondary relationship the first stop is out or the said rectilinear path of book movement and the second stop projects into said rectilinear path of book movement and is engageable with a book in said path to stop movement of said book, said stop moving means inlcluding a yieldable support for the first stop which tends to move the said first stop into the path of hook movement at the beginning of the said primary stop relationship and which enables the said first stop to remain out of the said path when resistance is offered to the movement of the said stop into the said path, and mechanism for cyclically operating the last said means in timed relationship with said mechanism for moving the belt means and at a rate such that any book that is partly beyond the said first stop at the beginning of the primary stop relationship is moved by the belt means along said rectilinear path and toward the said receiving position and at least partly beyond the said second stop prior to the beginning of the secondary stop relationship.

2. A book feeding mechanism as set forth in claim l, wherein the stop moving means also includes a yieldable support for the second stop which tends to move the said second stop into the path of book movement at the beginning of the said secondary stop relationship and which enables the said second stop to remain ont of the said path when resistance is offered to the movement of the said stop into the said path.

3. A book feeding mechanism as set forth in claim l, wherein the stop moving means also includes two longitudinally spaced shafts extending transversely of the direction of movement of the said belt means which shafts are mounted for oscillation about their own axes, wherein the stop moving means further includes two longitudinally extending arms carried respectively by the said shafts and movable therewith and respectively carrying the iirst and second stops, and wherein the mechanism for operating the stop moving means serves to oscillate the said shafts.

4. A book feeding mechanism as set forth in claim 3,

fit

wherein the arm carrying the rst stop is a spring yield- 45 ingly supporting the stop and biasing it toward its position in the path of book movement, and wherein a relatively stiff bar is secured in fixed relationship to the corresponding shaft which bar is adjacent the spring and serves to limit the movement of the stop by the spring.

5. A book feeding mechanism comprising in combination belt means movable in a fixed rectilinear longitudinal path and adapted for receiving books arranged in longitudinal sequence, mechanism for moving the belt means at a predetermined speed and for thereby moving the successive books along said fixed rectilinear path to a predetermined receiving position, first and second stops adjacent said fixed rectilinear path of book movement and longitudinally spaced from each other by a distance ess than the longitudinal dimension of the books, means for moving the two stops alternately into primary and secondary relationships in which primary relationship the iirst stop projects into said rectilinear path of book movement and is engageable with a book in said path to stop movement of said book and the second stop is out of said rectilinear path of book movement and in which secondary relationship the first stop is out of said rectilinear path of book movement and the second stop projects into said rectilinear path of book movement and is engageable with a book in said path to stop movement of said book, mechanism for cyclically operating the last said means in timed relationship with said mechanism for moving the belt means and at a rate such that any book that is partly beyond the said first stop at the beginning of the primary stop relationship is moved by the belt means along said rectilinear path and toward the said receiving position and at least partly beyond the said second stop prior to the beginning of the secondary stop relationship, and a freely rotatable wheel located for engagement with the upper faces of the books at a position opposite the book engaging portion of the belt means and spaced from the said receiving position by a distance less than the length of a book, the said wheel being biased for applying pressure to'the books and for thus causing each book upon release thereof by the second stop to start its movement prior to the start of the movement of the next following book so that a space is provided between the said books for the entry of the first stop.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

